research car reviews before buying the transmissions in the focus and the older fiestas are terrible the tranny in my focus was going to go when it slipped a crank barring instead try cheap fixes first buy transmission slip stop and put in the transmission fluid see if that works first also go to a reputable garage and not the ford dealers tell them upfront that you want to know the cost before they do anything get insurance quotes and in some areas you can get it lowered after you turn always ask and see what discounts you are eligible for